UNDP Jobs - 55045- Provision of Individual Services for a Policy Pape

Provision of Individual Services for a Policy Paper on the Contribution by the Private Sector to the Arab Economic Integration (V1.0)

Location :

Beirut, LEBANON

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

17-Apr-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Six (6) weeks from contract signature.

Languages Required :

Arabic English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Six (6) weeks from contract signature.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

The Aid for Trade Initiative for the Arab States (AfTIAS) aims to achieve inclusive economic growth with increased employment opportunities and greater competitiveness through trade policy reforms in Arab countries as an integral part of the regional trade and economic integration agenda.

The project focuses on helping countries and the main sub-regional and regional integration entities to accelerate the pace of trade reforms and regional economic integration, to strengthen the employment effects of those reforms with particular focus on women and youth. Economic integration through increased trade and foreign direct investment (FDI) are considered as means available in the short to medium term to policy makers to engage countries on a higher path of sustainable economic growth.

UNDP works in close partnership with the League of Arab States (LAS), the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) and UN agencies in specific result areas in collaboration with partners in the region. Building upon UN agencies’ expertise, ongoing technical assistance and capacity development interventions in the region, the AfTIAS particularly supports the LAS to promote regional trade integration, as per the GAFTA commitments and the resolutions adopted by the 3rd Arab Economic and Social Development Summit. The partnership and cooperation with the LAS is as such critical to advance and promote the regional trade integration agenda as re-affirmed in the Riyadh Declaration, renewing the commitment of the Arab Leaders to “remove all barriers that stand in the way of inter-Arab trade”.

Furthermore, UNDP focuses also its assistance in supporting activities aimed at improvement of performance of selected cross-border management posts with the view to enhance connectivity among the Arab countries through the reduction of trade and transport barriers.

At UNDP, we believe that combining policy with practice would create a “virtual loop” contributing to the achievement of the project objective. This evidence-based policy approach would support the implementation of quality development solutions that best serve the needs of the Arab region and its member states.

Duties and Responsibilities

The policy paper would include an assessment of the importance of the private sector to the Arab economic integration and will address the following elements:

Arab Business and Industry Community as the supplier of proposed measures and suggestions in the pursuit of more streamlined, output-oriented measures in acceleration of the regional economic integration.

Arab Business and Industry Community as participants to the design of realistic and time-bound measures of deepening economic linkage in the Arab region through reforming practices and modernized regulatory framework taking into account international experiences.

Arab Business and Industry Community and their Corporate Social Responsibility to bring about prosperity and jobs for sustainable and inclusive growth and strengthening the productive capacity in the Arab region.

Arab Business and Industry Community as the evaluator of the effectiveness and efficiency of adopted measures of Arab economic integration.

Establishment of business friendly environment through proposals of simplification and streamlining of administrative procedures and formalities, accompanied by fair competition.

Presentation and sharing experiences on modalities of investment within the Arab integrated economic environment through structured Partnership with Governments, with the League of Arab States and civic society in implementing the Arab Plan of Development Partnership.

Developing a roadmap combined with action plan for the League of Arab States and the Arab Business Community coordination and future cooperation.

For additional information, please refer to Annex I, Terms of Reference.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Functional Competencies:

Excellent knowledge and experience in applying results-based management and strategic planning methodologies and tools;
Substantive knowledge of UNDP programming and application of UNDP’s operational policies & practices;
Ability to meet deadlines and prioritize multiple tasks.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master Degree or equivalent in Economics, Business Administration, International Relations, Political Sciences, Development Studies or related field.

Experience:

15 years of relevant experience in the areas of regional economic integration development, international and regional trade, private sector development in the Arab region;
Practical experience in designing and managing projects focusing on regional economic integration, economic development through provision of evidence-based policy advice.

Languages:

Excellent writing, editing, and oral communication skills in English and Arabic.

Kindly refer to the Individual Consultant Procurement Notice and all related Annexes by visiting the below link:

http://www.lb.undp.org/content/lebanon/en/home/operations/procurement/

Please make sure to submit all the requested documents/information; otherwise, your application will be considered incomplete.